For Peer Review
1
Food puzzles for cats: feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing 1
2
Dantas, L.M.S., Behavioral Medicine Service, University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching 3
Hospital, Athens, GA 4
Delgado, M.M., Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA; Feline 5
Minds, Richmond, CA 6
Johnson, I. Fundamentally Feline, Atlanta, GA 7
Buffington, C.A.T, Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University 8
9
Correspondence concerning this article should be sent to: 10
M.M. Delgado BA 11
Department of Psychology, Mailcode 1650 13
University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1650, U.S.A. 14
510-229-7615 15
16
Keywords: feline, environmental enrichment, food puzzles, foraging, feline obesity, behavior 17
problems 18
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Abstract 19
This article aims to equip veterinary professionals to assist clients in the use of food puzzles for 20
their cats as tools to support feline enrichment, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. We 21
outline the types of food puzzles, how to introduce them to cats, and how to troubleshoot 22
challenges with their use. Due to the paucity of evidence-based studies of food puzzles, we 23
provide examples of the use and benefits of food puzzles from our own veterinary and behavioral 24
practices. 25
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Introduction 26
Although cats are currently the most commonly kept pet in the United States, the 27
conditions they are kept in are perhaps the least natural to them, especially given that the 28
domestic cat’s behavior and behavioral needs are very similar to those of their closest wild 29
ancestor, the African wildcat.1 Current veterinary and cat care guidelines (e.g., American 30
Veterinary Medical Association; Indoor Pet Initiative; American Association of Feline 31
Practitioners) encourage keeping cats indoors for safety, health, and ecological reasons, but this 32
recommendation, along with the concurrent misperception of cats as low-maintenance pets, 33
means that many cats are housed in suboptimal environments. One significant influence on cats’ 34
living conditions is how they are routinely fed. Most cats are offered food ad libitum from a 35
bowl, are often required to share feeding areas or dishes with other cats, and have to expend little 36
to no effort to acquire calories. 37
Cats are natural predators who tend to eat multiple small meals each day in nature.2, 3
38
When able to hunt, cats make several hunting attempts each day, only approximately half of 39
which would lead to a prey item.4 Indoor housing has been associated with increases in the 40
occurrence of obesity,5-7 type 2 diabetes mellitus,
8 joint problems,
9 as well as chronic lower 41
urinary tract signs.10 Furthermore, the risk of behavioral and mental health problems may 42
increase with confinement.11 Commonly reported behavioral concerns from cat owners include 43
aggression, attention-seeking behaviors, and stress-related behaviors such as house soiling and 44
overgrooming.12, 13
These behavior problems can lead to a weakening of the human-animal bond, 45
and in many cases result in unwarranted euthanasia of the cat.14, 15
Environmental enrichment 46
may have some mitigating effects on these stress-related behaviors.16 47
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We propose that one approach to environmental enrichment is to take advantage of cats’ 48
natural instinct to work for their food. In this review, we will explain what food puzzles are and 49
why they are a biologically relevant enrichment device for cats. We will provide an overview of 50
the most common types of food puzzles, how they should be used, and how to overcome any 51
client resistance to changing the method of food delivery to their cats. The effect of food puzzles 52
on cats is a relatively new area of study, so in addition to reviewing the existing empirical 53
evidence, we will provide case studies from our professional practices showing health and 54
behavioral benefits from their use. Finally, we provide tools for assessing the most appropriate 55
types of food puzzles for individual cats, and a user-friendly handout that practitioners can give 56
to their clients to get them started. 57
What are food puzzles? 58
Food puzzles were originally created to provide enrichment for captive zoo and 59
laboratory animals.17 They typically consist of any object that can hold food, and be manipulated 60
to release food when the animal interacts with it. Food puzzles may be mobile (rolled or pushed) 61
or stationary, and they can be used to provide either wet or dry food. They may be purchased or 62
homemade (see Figure 1). 63
[insert Figure 1] 64
Mobile food puzzles are often shaped like a ball, egg, or tube. Their rounded surfaces 65
make the puzzles easy for cats to roll by pushing with a paw or their nose. These puzzles 66
typically have one or more holes in them, and in some cases these puzzles can be adjusted to 67
make release of food easier or harder by changing the size or number of open spaces that can 68
dispense food. The current iterations of these puzzles are typically designed for use with dry food 69
or treats. 70
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Stationary puzzles are typically larger, with sturdy bases, and holes, cups, or channels. 71
Dry food can be placed in the holes and cups, which must be fished out with a paw. Wells may 72
be filled with wet food; the cat must lick food out of these wells, mimicking how cats use their 73
jaw muscles to remove flesh from bone. 74
Homemade puzzles for dry food can be made easily by cutting holes in containers such as 75
yogurt containers, toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, margarine tubs, or water bottles. Ice cube trays 76
or muffin pans can be used for wet food, and yogurt lids can be placed over the individual 77
reservoirs or cups to increase difficulty. 78
The benefits of using food puzzles. 79
Zoos and sanctuaries encounter many obstacles to providing adequate housing for felid 80
species, which may have difficulty adjusting to captivity for several reasons. Territory and 81
hunting opportunities are restricted, and many solitary species are housed in pairs or in groups.18 82
The parallels with domestic cat housing are numerous. Implementing enrichment by providing 83
foraging opportunities and food puzzles offers several benefits to captive large cats, including 84
reducing stereotypies such as pacing,19, 20
improving body condition,21 and increasing 85
exploratory behavior.18, 22
86
Current guidelines for the care and welfare of domestic cats suggest that they be allowed 87
to express the predatory sequence to the extent possible, including active acquisition of food.4, 23,
88
24 Although few empirical studies of the benefits of food puzzles for companion animals have 89
been conducted, provision of food puzzles has been shown to increase activity and reduce 90
problematic behavior in dogs.25 In cats, various forms of enrichment (such as play, perches, play 91
towers, and novel toys) have been shown to reduce stress-related symptoms,16 and to contribute 92
to weight-loss.26 Table 1 outlines cases from our veterinary and behavioral practices that resulted 93
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in either behavioral or health-related benefits after the implementation of food puzzles along 94
with other forms of behavior modification. Benefits we have observed include weight-loss, 95
decreased aggression toward humans and other cats, reduced anxiety and fear, cessation of 96
attention-seeking behaviors, and resolution of litterbox avoidance. 97
Furthermore, implementing food puzzles provides few risks of decreasing welfare of 98
cats. In one study, 85% of cats (23/27) engaged with a food puzzle without increases in 99
aggression between group-housed cats in a shelter,27 suggesting few problems with 100
implementing food puzzles in multi-cat environments. Although problem-solving to acquire food 101
may initially frustrate some animals, presenting animals with some level of challenge that is 102
appropriate to their natural ecology and matched to their skill level is likely to provide cognitive, 103
physical and behavioral benefits in otherwise-enriched surroundings.28 104
Implementing food puzzles 105
As with introduction of any new resource, successfully implementing food puzzles 106
requires some planning. Clients should be prepared to try a few different types of food puzzles, 107
because cats may have individual preferences for the type of puzzle or how they interact with 108
puzzles (for example, some cats prefer mobile puzzles that can be pushed or rolled while others 109
are more adept at stationary puzzles; some cats are more likely to use their paws to move a toy, 110
while others may push the toy with their nose). We have provided a guide to helping clients 111
choose a starter puzzle in Table 2. Furthermore, because implementing food puzzles offers 112
enrichment beyond just as a means of providing food, the end goal is to have several different 113
types of puzzles available for cats (as is recommended with other toys). The most important key 114
to success is for clients to introduce puzzles to the cats correctly. This means setting the 115
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difficulty level to meet the abilities of the cat, and by increasing the cat’s motivation to interact 116
with the puzzle as much as possible. 117
Initially, obtaining food from the puzzle needs to be as easy as obtaining food from the 118
food bowl. This means that the cat should have to do very little work for food at first. The puzzle 119
should be filled as much as possible, and should have several, large holes to allow food to fall 120
out easily. The puzzle should roll with little manipulation. For stationary puzzles, cups or 121
reservoirs should be overflowing (see Figure 2). 122
[insert Figure 2] 123
As cats initially may be resistant to working for food, particularly if they have a history 124
of not having to do so,29, 30
the regular food dish may need to be removed when introducing food 125
puzzles. Because some cats may view their food container as a “safety signal,” or may be 126
stressed by changes in their environment, some cats prefer having the puzzle initially introduced 127
as a choice next to the usual feeding container at the time of feeding, and containing the cat’s 128
usual food. Some cats, particularly those who tend to be nervous, may prefer that the food puzzle 129
be placed in a quiet area where they can explore it undisturbed. 130
The food puzzle should be introduced when the cat is likely to be hungry. Motivation 131
may be increased at first by using a novel food type in the puzzle, such as treats or a dental diet. 132
As the cats become more adept at using the puzzle, the food can be changed to their regular diet, 133
or a mix of their regular dry food and treats. 134
For dry food puzzles, the client should place food on the floor next to and around the 135
puzzle and allow the cat to eat around the puzzle. Their cat may inadvertently move the puzzle 136
while eating, which will help them make the association between moving the puzzle and 137
receiving food. The owner may even gently roll or nudge the puzzle at first to maintain the cat’s 138
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interest. Eventually, regular food dishes can be removed and the cat can receive all of his or her 139
daily food from puzzles. 140
Troubleshooting potential challenges and solutions 141
Some clients (and cats) may be reluctant to accept introduction of food puzzles. Making 142
food puzzles as user-friendly and convenient as possible increases the client’s likelihood of using 143
them, and consequently improves their cat’s welfare. Our collective experience is that most, if 144
not all cats can adjust to food puzzles, given time, patience, and proper staging of difficulty. 145
Some common challenges to food puzzle use and how we address them in our veterinary and 146
behavioral practices include: 147
The client doesn’t think their cat will use food puzzles. We have not encountered cats that 148
could not adapt to food puzzles. Senior cats, kittens, three-legged cats, blind cats, and cats with 149
other disabilities such as partial paralysis all have been observed to use a food puzzle of some 150
type. Reminding the client of the cat’s natural lifestyle as a hunter who works for food may be 151
helpful. Sharing and discussing the food puzzle handout (Supplementary material) with the 152
client, as well as demonstrating how they work will help clients get started. Providing coaching 153
and encouragement during the implementation process reduces the likelihood of the client 154
concluding that their cat is unwilling or unable to work for their food. 155
The owner will not make or purchase food puzzles. The best way to address this is to have 156
food puzzles available for sale in the veterinary office, or to provide referrals to local pet stores 157
that sell food puzzles. There are also many good resources online for creating food puzzles out of 158
recyclable materials (such as yogurt containers and plastic water bottles). 159
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The owner does not want to prepare food puzzles daily. If the client is willing, they can 160
acquire several food puzzles to rotate. All dry food puzzles can be prepared once a week and 161
stored in airtight storage bins.31 162
The owner is concerned about noise/nighttime activity. Stationary puzzles can be used at 163
night, or mobile food puzzles can be confined to areas away from the bedroom. 164
The owner is resistant to having food scattered around the home. The cat will likely eat most 165
of the food dispensed by the puzzle. However, food puzzles can be used in select rooms (e.g., 166
bathroom, office, kitchen), or in more restricted areas such as bathtubs, laundry baskets, under-167
the-bed storage containers, or in the lids of large storage totes. The downside of restricting the 168
area the puzzle is used in is that it makes food easier to obtain, and reduces the cat’s movement 169
and activity, and bathtubs and containers may provide other challenges for any cat with a 170
mobility issue (such as older, arthritic cats). 171
The owner has tried a food puzzle and the cat would not use it. The client should be 172
encouraged to try again, this time empowered with more detailed instructions and specific 173
guidance. Staff should be trained to guide clients through learning challenges. Initial difficulty of 174
use and increasing motivation are two of the most common barriers to cats’ willingness to use 175
food puzzles. For slow starters, placing handfuls of dry food in locations frequented by the cat 176
(condos, window sills, beds) allows the cat the chance to discover food in novel places. These 177
cats generally can transition from this to static puzzles located in these areas. 178
All cats should be monitored closely at first when introducing a food puzzle, as missing 179
several meals could be dangerous to vulnerable cats, particularly those who are overweight or 180
obese. If the owner is concerned, they can offer the cat a portion of their daily food in a bowl, 181
and the rest can be foraged until the cat has adapted to the use of the puzzle. Alternatively, the 182
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cat could be fed wet food from a dish, and dry food exclusively from puzzles. The ultimate goal 183
should be all food from puzzles. 184
Multiple cats in the home. All cats in the home can be acclimated to food puzzles. Because cats 185
may have individual preferences, several types of food puzzles can be distributed throughout the 186
home, and each cat should be provided with their own puzzle. If one type of puzzle is more 187
popular, then the owner should provide multiple puzzles of that type. This prevents cats from 188
having to compete over food resources, and from being forced to eat in the same area, a behavior 189
that is unnatural to solitary hunters. However, some cats are willing to use a food puzzle together 190
(see Figure 3).27
191
[insert Figure 3] 192
Presence of dogs in the home. For homes with dogs, puzzles can be used in restricted areas (see 193
above), or baby gates can be used to keep dogs out of certain areas of the home where the cats’ 194
food puzzles are kept. The baby gates should be placed at a height where the cat can either jump 195
over or crawl under, but the dog cannot. Dogs also can be taught a “leave it” verbal cue, and be 196
provided with their own foraging toys in a separate area of the house, or if possible, outdoors. 197
The cat becomes bored with the food puzzles. Adjusting the difficulty to the ability of the cat 198
is important. Unchallenging tasks may lead to boredom or apathy.28 When the cat becomes 199
competent with a particular food puzzle, clients can maintain their cat’s interest by: 200
1. Trying new types of food puzzles (including different designs or materials) or changing the 201
location the puzzle is used in. 202
2. Increasing the difficulty of the puzzle: owners can do this by changing the number and/or 203
size of the holes, or by using objects that are opaque and give fewer visual cues. They also 204
can adjust how mobile the puzzle is by using weighted puzzles, cubes, or objects that have 205
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textured sides. Changing the substrate the puzzle is offered on (for example, carpet instead of 206
hard flooring) can increase the challenge. 207
3. Placing a small puzzle inside a larger puzzle (see Figure 4). 208
[insert Figure 4] 209
4. Placing “dummy” objects inside the puzzle such as toy balls or mice that slow the release of 210
food. 211
5. Using piñata-style puzzles that dangle or hang and require the cats to reach up to manipulate 212
them (see Figure 5). Clients should be advised that hanging toys can present a choking 213
hazard and should only be used with supervision. 214
[insert Figure 5] 215
Conclusions 216
Food puzzles enable cat owners to provide mental stimulation and exercise, and increase 217
the activity of their pet cats, while taking advantage of the domestic cat’s natural inclination to 218
work (hunt) for their food. Food puzzles are relatively easy to implement, and there are few risks 219
associated with their use. In fact, there are likely many health and behavioral benefits from 220
implementing food puzzles. We have provided some examples of the potential benefits of their 221
use in concert with other behavior modifications in the retrospective case studies outlined in 222
Table 1. 223
We acknowledge the limitations to the cases we provided; they are retrospective in 224
nature, and in some cases, food puzzles were not the only intervention, so one cannot be sure of 225
the relative effectiveness of each component of the treatment. We included these cases 226
acknowledging that this limitation is also often found in primary care medicine, and in hopes of 227
encouraging further research to determine the most appropriate roles of food puzzles in 228
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promoting health and welfare for confined cats. Prospective trials are greatly needed to help 229
determine the relative effectiveness of different approaches to environmental enrichment for 230
confined cats. We also did not include all cases seen that involved recommendations for the use 231
of food puzzles, although we attempted to provide a range of the types of cases that might be 232
commonly encountered in primary care veterinary practice. Veterinary practices are often the 233
main source of information for many pet owners, and we have provided suggestions, tools, and 234
user-friendly information to help veterinary professionals make the recommendation of food 235
puzzles a standard practice. 236
237
Conflict of interest statement 238
The authors declare no potential conflict of interest with respect to the research, authorship, 239
and/or publication of this article. 240
241
Funding 242
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or 243
not-for-profit sectors. MMD was supported by an NSF GRFP fellowship. 244
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Table 1. Case examples where food puzzles were implemented to aid with a health or behavioral concern.
Breed Sex Age
(years) Presenting concern
Food puzzle(s)
implemented Outcome
DMHa
NMb
11 & 6
Obesity Rolling and
static,
purchased
Older cat lost 6.4% of body weight in 3.5
months, and increased mobility.
Younger cat lost 11% of body weight in 12
months.
DMH SFc
9
Obesity Rolling,
homemade
and
purchased
Weight loss; 11% in 12 months.
DSHd
NM 8
Obesity Rolling,
homemade
and
purchased
Weight loss; 20% in 12 months.
DSH NM x 2 7 & 1
Younger cat trying to play rough with
older cat
Rolling and
static,
purchased
Cats were able to play with food puzzles
simultaneously; older cat preferred static
puzzles and younger cat preferred rolling
puzzles. The altercations between cats
decreased significantly.
DMH NM 3.5
Sibling cats meowing for food, waking
owner up to be fed, interfering with
owner’s preparation and eating of
meals, stealing food from plates, sinks,
and counters
Rolling and
static
(homemade
and
purchased)
Food puzzles slowed down both cats’ eating and
a decrease in meowing for food was observed.
Behavior around owner’s preparation of food
and while eating was improved as long as cats
were distracted with a food puzzle. In addition
to food puzzles, the owner was instructed to
avoid leaving food and dirty dishes on
counters and sinks to prevent cats from being
inadvertently rewarded for undesirable
behaviors.
British
shorthair NM 3
Impulsive and frustration based
aggression towards owner (biting with
no warning when anticipating meals,
and when attention was not given)
Rolling -
purchased
and static -
homemade
The use of puzzles immediately resolved the
situations where the cat experienced
frustration (anticipation of meals, attention-
seeking) and the cat started to show
appeasement behaviors as opposed to
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impulsively attacking. The aggressive
behavior resolved within 6 months.
DSH NM 10
Disorientation, nocturnal vocalization.
alterations in the sleep-wake cycle,
decreased social interactions,
diagnosed with Cognitive Dysfunction
Syndrome
Rolling and
static
(homemade
and
purchased)
Introduction of puzzles associated with marked
decrease in disorientation, improved sleep-
wake cycle alterations and cessation of
nocturnal vocalizations, as well as increased
social behavior between the patient and other
cats in the household (3 NM and 1 SF in total)
and the clients. Provision of enrichment
avoided introduction of pharmacological
treatment.
DSH FS 8
Fear based aggression towards owner (cat
signaled fear when approached,
showed severe avoidance behavior and
bit if touched or picked up)
Rolling and
static,
purchased
In addition to the puzzles provided, the client
was instructed to desensitize and
countercondition the cat to the owner’s
approach, and to positively reinforce
alternative behaviors. The cat’s fear-related
aggressive behaviors gradually decreased over
time in frequency and intensity. After one
year of treatment, the client was able to pet
and pick up the cat, and the cat came when
called. No more episodes of aggression were
reported.
DSH NM 9
Noise phobia (cat had fear and panic
reactions to several types of sudden and
loud noises, sometimes redirecting
aggression to a nearby cat - multi-cat
household)
Rolling and
static,
purchased
Redirected aggression resolved, noise phobia
symptoms significantly improved.
DSH NM 2
Fear of people (familiar and unfamiliar) Rolling and
static,
purchased
Behavior significantly improved, with cat
showing attachment signs to both owners,
coming when called, allowing (and being
relaxed during) petting; avoidance behavior
ceased.
DSH SF/NM 8 & 2
Fear aggressive behavior (older toward
younger cat); younger cat redirected
aggression toward the older cat.
Altercations frequently led to bites.
Rolling and
static,
purchased
Intensity and frequency of aggression decreased
and no more bites occurred. Both cats started
to use avoidance behavior rather than
aggression. The younger cat stopped
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redirecting aggression toward the older cat.
DSH FS/FS 10 & 8
Fear aggressive behavior towards cat
housemate (younger cat would signal
fear and attack the older cat whenever
she approached)
Rolling and
static,
purchased
Puzzles were provided for both cats, which were
temporarily separated. Desensitization and
counterconditioning therapy was implemented
with the use of the rolling puzzles and during
feeding sessions of highly palatable food. Fear
signaling (hissing, avoidance) was still seen
sporadically, but no episodes of offensive
aggression were reported after 6 months of
treatment.
DSH NM 7
months
Pouncing and stalking the clients’ Guinea
pigs
Rolling and
static,
homemade
Implementation of puzzles and desensitization
and counterconditioning therapy sessions
toward the Guinea pigs resulted in cessation of
the cat’s behaviors toward them.
DLHe
NM 1
Anxiety signs when left alone (increased
vocalizations, agitation, pacing), hyper
attachment (followed owner constantly,
stress signs when owner was out of
sight) and anxiety response (agitation
and tension) to owner departure cue.
Diagnosed with Separation Anxiety
Syndrome
Rolling and
static
(homemade
and
purchased)
A comprehensive enrichment plan was
formulated for this cat, with the addition of a
more complex environment (vertical and
hiding areas). The anxiety signs while the
client was away completely stopped. Signs of
hyper-attachment and anxiety responses to
owner departure cues were still seen but
gradually weaned within one year of
treatment.
DLH FS 9
Signs of depression when left alone by
the main caregiver (anorexia, social
withdrawal, lack of play behavior),
hyper attachment (following primary
caregiver constantly, stress signs when
owner was out of sight) and anxiety
response to owner departure cue
(agitation and tension), diagnosed with
Separation Anxiety Syndrome
Rolling and
static
(homemade
and
purchased)
A comprehensive enrichment plan for formulated
for this cat, with the addition of a more
complex environment (vertical and hiding
areas). A safe place was also conditioned. The
signs of depression while the primary
caregiver was away and of hyper-attachment
and anxiety responses to owner departure cues
decreased in frequency with gradual
improvement during 6 months. Within one
year, the client ranked the cat’s improvement
as excellent (signs were mild or not seen).
Varied SF x 2,
NM x 3 Varied
Multi-cat household, meal-related
fighting and urine marking. Urine
Rolling and
static
Significant decrease in intercat aggression, urine
marking ceased, cats were fully integrated and
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marking continued despite the cats
living in separate spaces due to
fighting. Regurgitation of undigested
food was observed during during meals
(homemade
and
purchased)
no longer required separation. Regurgitation
due to overeating much reduced in frequency.
DSH SF 6
months
Urination outside of the litter box Rolling,
purchased
Cat was urinating in the bathtub. Owners began
leaving food puzzles in the bathtub for the cat
to play with. Owners made simultaneous
adjustments to the litterbox that increased
compliance. The cat stopped urinating outside
of the litterbox.
Persian FS 6
Urination outside of litterbox, diagnosed
with feline idiopathic cystitis or
Pandora syndrome
Rolling and
static,
purchased
After initial buprenorphine treatment for the
acute presentation, a comprehensive plan of
multimodal environmental modification was
provided. The cat has been in remission for 2.5
years.
DSH NM 11
Urine marking (cat lived in a multi-cat
household and had episodes throughout
his adult life)
Rolling and
static,
purchased
Marking behavior ceased. Vertical and hiding
spaces were also added to the house.
DSH SF 9
Urination outside of litter box due to
chronic feline idiopathic cystitis,
possible location and substrate
preference for toileting behavior and
litter box aversion
Rolling and
static,
purchased
In addition to the food puzzles, appropriate litter
box management was recommended. Behavior
completely resolved within 3 months of
treatment.
DLH NM 12
Urination outside of litter box due to
chronic feline idiopathic cystitis
Rolling and
static,
purchased
Besides the food puzzles, appropriate litter box
management was recommended. Behavior
completely resolved within 6 months of
treatment.
DSH NM 2
Urination outside of litter box due to
chronic feline idiopathic cystitis,
possible location and substrate
preference for toileting behavior and
litter box aversion
Rolling and
static,
purchased
Besides the food puzzles, appropriate litter box
management was recommended. Behavior
completely resolved within 3 months of
treatment.
Maine
Coon NM 8 mo.
Pronounced fear toward household dog
(13 week old Golden Retriever); mild
Rolling and
static,
purchased
Additional recommendations: safe place
conditioning and desensitization and
counterconditioning to dog, plus additional
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inappropriate play behavior toward
owners and stress-induced scratching
physical enrichment in the house. All problem
behaviors resolved.
DMH SF 16
Obesity, lack of interaction with owners,
secluded herself in one room. Fearful
and anti-social with new kittens in
home despite positive slow
introduction.
Started with
static and
advanced to
all types.
Weight loss; 32% in 18 months. Many other
accommodations had already been
implemented for this cat: vertical space, hiding
places, heating pads, canned and dry food,
attempts to engage in interactive play, and
supportive therapy for arthritis, with little to
no change. Two new kittens were added to the
home. After implementing static food puzzles
the patient started to lose weight and play with
the owners more. She eventually became
interested in the other foraging toys outside of
“her room” that the kittens were playing with.
She began to creep out and engage with those
too, eventually rejoining the household, using
both static and stationary toys. She also will
now share and forage side by side with the
young cats.
Abbreviations aDMH – Domestic Medium-Haired bNM – Neutered Male cSF – Spayed Female dDSH - Domestic Short-Haired eDLH - Domestic Long-Haired
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Table 2. Checklist for helping clients choose a starter puzzle.
Ultimately, the goal is for clients to try several types of puzzles with their cats. You can use this
checklist to help them choose a starter puzzle that is most likely to work with their cat.
Does the cat eat wet and dry food? Wet food is best used with stationary puzzles.
Dry food can be easily used with stationary or
mobile puzzles.
Is owner okay with food around the house? Mobile puzzles may lead to more food scatter.
Is the owner concerned about nighttime
noise/activity?
Stationary puzzles and puzzles made of softer
plastics make less noise.
How does the cat typically interact with
toys - with their paws, nose?
If the cat typically interacts with toys using their
paws, they will likely do well with stationary
or mobile puzzles. Cats who primarily use
their nose will do best with mobile puzzles at
first.
Does the owner have financial constraints? If yes, recommend homemade puzzles.
Does the owner have time constraints? If yes, recommend store-bought puzzles.
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Clockwise from upper-left hand corner: homemade mobile, homemade stationary, purchased stationary, and purchased mobile food puzzles. Photos courtesy of Ingrid Johnson, Leticia Dantas, and Mikel Delgado.
169x122mm (300 x 300 DPI)
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Puzzles should initially be filled as much as possible. Photos courtesy of Mikel Delgado. 169x108mm (300 x 300 DPI)
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Some cats will use food puzzles together. Photos courtesy of Ingrid Johnson and Leticia Dantas. 219x84mm (300 x 300 DPI)
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Placing a small puzzle inside a larger puzzle increases challenge for cats. Photo courtesy of Ingrid Johnson. 158x169mm (300 x 300 DPI)
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A piñata-style puzzle that hangs. Photo courtesy of Ingrid Johnson. 127x169mm (300 x 300 DPI)
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